Mackay

The area is younger than most, with 20.1% of the population being children under 15. While the typical resident is 38, there are far fewer seniors here than in most similar areas. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up 6.2% of the community, a figure that has risen since 2011.

Australia and England are the most common ancestries, with 38.3% and 38.0% respectively. The proportion of people born overseas is 11.9%, which is far below the national figure of 27.7% and has barely changed over the last decade.

English is the primary language for 85% of residents. Only 5.9% of people use another language at home, which is far below the Australian average of 22.3%, though this has risen slightly since 2011.

Over half the population identifies as Christian. Those with no religion make up 36.9% of the community, a figure that has risen by 17 points since 2011, although this is still lower than the national figure.

Qualifications are often practical, with 41.9% of people holding a Certificate III or IV. About 12.3% of adults have a bachelor degree or higher, which is far below the national average of 26.3%.

Incomes are notably high, with the typical weekly household earning $1,853, which is much higher than in most similar areas. This prosperity is reflected in the 21.9% of households earning over $3,000 a week, a significant rise since 2011.

Long-term health conditions affect 26.7% of residents, which is a little below the national figure. About 8% of people report a mental health condition, and 5% of the population needs help with daily activities.

Childcare is a major focus here, with 27.8% of people providing unpaid care for children—much higher than most areas. However, the rate of general volunteering at 13% is much lower than in other similar regions.

The First Nations community is relatively large at 7,507 people and is notably young, with a typical age of 22. This group sees better outcomes than many other areas, with a high Year 12 completion rate of 45.6% and lower unemployment at 9.6%.

Homes here are more crowded than usual, with 2.6 people per dwelling. Most households are families, as 56.8% are couples with children and only 23.9% of people live alone.

Separate houses dominate the landscape, making up 84.7% of all homes. These dwellings are typically large, with 79.9% having three or more bedrooms, and the typical weekly rent of $340 is much higher than in most similar areas.

Life revolves around the car, with 71.1% of people driving to work and only 1.4% using public transport. Very few people work from home (5.2%), which is far below the national figure of 21%.

The population is fairly mobile, with 38.7% of residents moving in the last five years. However, the number of recent arrivals from overseas has fallen sharply since 2011.

Employment is strong, with 64.7% of people working full-time—well above the national average. The local economy relies heavily on health care, mining, and retail trade.

The region is generally prosperous, ranking in the top 20% for access to money and resources. It is a major business hub with 11,184 businesses and a population that continues to grow.

Mackay is very wet, with an average annual rainfall of 1,524mm, which is far above the Queensland average. It also maintains a warm climate, with typical minimum temperatures higher than most areas.

The area has a high rate of recorded offences, particularly theft, burglary, and drug offences, all of which are much higher than in most similar areas.

The region is mostly car-dependent, with a walkability score of 4.0. This is reflected in the fact that fewer than half of homes are within a 15-minute walk of groceries or schools.